Free IIW IWI-S Exam Prep
IIW International Welding Inspector — Standard (IWI-S)
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Quick Facts
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IIW IIW International Welding Qualifications License: Complete Roadmap
Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation
Welding Processes, Parameters & MetallurgyYou are here
Master arc processes, heat input, consumables and the metallurgy of the HAZ — carbon equivalent, hydrogen and hot cracking, preheat and PWHT (~35% of the written content).
Design, Welding Symbols & Distortion
Learn to read ISO 2553 symbols, size fillet throats, understand joint design, fatigue at weld toes, residual stress and distortion control (~17%).
Weld Defects & NDE Methods
Study ISO 6520 imperfections and their causes/prevention, then the VT/PT/MT/RT/UT method overview, ISO 17637 visual testing and method selection (~33%).
Codes, Acceptance Criteria & QA Documentation
Apply ISO 5817 quality levels, ISO 3834, WPS/WPQR, welder qualification, ITPs and traceability, then complete the 100-question practice bank and review every miss with the AI tutor (~15%).
Can You Take the IIW IWI-S Exam?
Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements
- •Enrol with an IIW Authorised Training Body (ATB) delivering the IWI-S syllabus to IAB-041
- •Meet the access-route requirements (qualifications and/or industrial experience)
- •Complete the Standard-level course covering welding technology and welding inspection
- •Pass the Welding Technology, Welding Inspection and Application of Standards exams plus the oral/practical assessment
IIW IWI-S Quick Facts
Time to Get Licensed
8-10 weeks typical (course 8 days face-to-face or ~8 weeks online plus practical)
From start to license in hand
Exam Provider
IIW Authorised Training Body / IAB-approved examination body
Retake Policy
Candidates have up to three years from the first exam to complete all parts; failed parts may be re-sat per the ATB/IAB rules.
Total Cost Breakdown
Free IIW IWI-S Prep Tools
100+ Practice Questions
Practice by topic with detailed answer explanations
AI Tutor Explains Mistakes
Understand why answers are wrong, not just which ones
Updated for 2026
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What You'll Study
16 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide
Introduction & Exam Overview
3 sections
Inspector Role & Responsibilities
3 sections
Chapter 3: Arc Welding Processes I
4 sections
Chapter 4: Processes, Parameters & Consumables
4 sections
Chapter 5: Metallurgy Foundations
3 sections
Chapter 6: Cracking Phenomena
4 sections
Chapter 7: Heat Treatment & Steel Families
3 sections
Chapter 8: Stainless, Aluminium & Other Materials
4 sections
Chapter 9: Design & Welding Symbols
4 sections
Chapter 10: Fatigue, Distortion & Fabrication
3 sections
Chapter 11: Weld Imperfections I
4 sections
Chapter 12: Weld Imperfections II
3 sections
Chapter 13: Surface NDT Methods
3 sections
Chapter 14: Volumetric NDT & Destructive Tests
4 sections
Chapter 15: Codes, Acceptance & Qualification
4 sections
Chapter 16: QA Documentation & Exam Strategy
4 sections
IIW IWI-S Exam Details
IIW International Welding Inspector — Standard (IWI-S)
Administered by International Institute of Welding (IIW) / International Authorisation Board (IAB)
Exam Content Breakdown
Based on the official International Institute of Welding (IIW) / International Authorisation Board (IAB) content outline
Arc processes (MMA/SMAW, MIG/MAG, TIG/GTAW, SAW), metal transfer modes, heat input and arc energy, polarity, consumables (ISO 2560), process reference numbers (ISO 4063), and parameter effects on the weld
Steel classification, the heat-affected zone, carbon equivalent, hydrogen cold cracking, hot/solidification cracking, lamellar tearing, preheat and PWHT, stainless and aluminium behaviour, and toughness/hardness testing
ISO 2553 welding symbols (arrow/other side, fillet and butt symbols, tail references), joint design and preparation, fillet throat sizing, fatigue and weld-toe effects, distortion and residual stress
ISO 6520 imperfection classification, cracks, porosity, lack of fusion/penetration, undercut, overlap, slag and tungsten inclusions, misalignment, and their causes and prevention
Selecting and interpreting visual (ISO 17637), penetrant, magnetic particle, radiographic and ultrasonic testing; surface vs volumetric methods; IQI sensitivity; and NDT personnel qualification (ISO 9712)
ISO 5817 quality levels B/C/D and acceptance, ISO 3834 quality requirements, WPS/WPQR (ISO 15614), welder qualification (ISO 9606), inspection stages, ITPs, hold points, non-conformance, traceability and reporting
What's Included
16 Chapters
Complete exam coverage
Practice Quizzes
With detailed explanations
Free to Start
No credit card required
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What's Next After the IIW IWI-S?
After passing the IIW IWI-S, you can pursue these career paths
IIW-IWI-COMPREHENSIVE
Progress to the Comprehensive (IWI-C) inspector tier for advanced metallurgy, NDE coordination and inspection management
IIW-IWI-BASIC
Start at the Basic (IWI-B) level to build core inspection and imperfection-identification knowledge
IIW-IWS
Broaden into welding coordination with the International Welding Specialist (IWS) diploma
IIW IWI-S Exam FAQ
Official International Institute of Welding (IIW) / International Authorisation Board (IAB) Resources
Verify information with these official sources
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